Pamplona, June 25, 2025
Ramón Alzórriz resigns amid corruption probe, revealing links to a company at the heart of the scandal.
- Ramón Alzórriz, the second-in-command of the Partido Socialista Navarro (PSN), has resigned from all his positions.
- His resignation follows revelations that his partner worked for Servinabar, a company linked to a corruption case.
- Santos Cerdán, a member of the Congress of Deputies, is also implicated, having reportedly concealed his 45% stake in servinabar.
The political scene in Navarre is reeling this week after Ramón Alzórriz, the number two figure in the PSN, stepped down from his roles following accusations of corruption. Alzórriz’s resignation comes after the revelation that his partner was employed by Servinabar, a company at the centre of a bribery scandal. The president of the regional government and secretary-general of the party,María Chivite,lost confidence in Alzórriz after this information came to light.
The former parliamentary spokesman for the PSN confirmed that his partner had worked for Servinabar between 2021 and 2024. Alzórriz had not informed chivite of this employment, leading to the “loss of confidence” from the Navarrese president, according to reports. Alzórriz resigned as deputy secretary-general of the Socialist Party of Navarre and as spokesman in the Parliament of Navarre,but remains a parliamentarian. He also stated that he was unaware of Cerdán’s involvement in the company and that his partner “had precarious work and started working there in better conditions.”
furthermore,the regional government led by socialist María Chivite concealed information on public works between 2019 and 2023 on the regional contracting platform, according to a report from the Cámara de Comptos,the equivalent of the Navarrese Court of Auditors. The report,published last November,also denounces multiple irregularities.
The supervisory body concludes that although the Ley Foral de contratos (LFC) requires the publication of announcements with tenders, modifications, and awards carried out on the Portal de contratación de Navarra (PCN), not all mandatory information is published.
Moreover, according to the Cámara, the lack of controls “generates a risk to the integrity of the information that is published.” Javier garcía, president of the PP in Navarre, stated that “Chivite is cornered and we should also ask about the role played by Elma Saiz, the current Minister of Inclusion and Social Security, who was the Minister of Economy and Finance in Navarre at that time.” García also requests that the deception of Cerdán in his declaration of assets be investigated and that measures be taken.
The UCO is now investigating the real assets of Santos Cerdán, which may be much higher than declared, and suspects that the corruption network he headed, along with José Luis Ábalos, former Minister of Transport and former Organization Secretary of the PSOE, may have been involved in alleged money laundering until just a month and a half ago. According to the report known last week, which details the payment of bribes in exchange for public works, Judge Leopoldo Puente of the Supreme court has issued a court order to a total of 35 banks to provide information and all kinds of movements of 521 accounts as January 1, 2014.Many of them were opened throughout 2024, but some have even been opened this year, months after the High Court opened a case against him – on november 7, 2024 – after seeing indications of bribery, embezzlement, influence peddling, and criminal organization.
Pamplona, June 25, 2025
The recent political turmoil in Navarre, triggered by the resignations of Ramón Alzórriz and the ongoing inquiry into Santos Cerdán, underscores the critical role of transparency within the regional government. The Cámara de comptos’s report, which detailed the concealment of information on public works contracts between 2019 and 2023, highlights a systemic issue of accountability. This is compounded by the accusations of corruption involving Servinabar and potentially other companies. The revelations put into sharp focus the importance of open governance and its impact on public trust and the integrity of public projects. The current situation demands a closer look at the core tenets of good governance.
The scrutiny of public works contracts and the assets of public officials seeks to ensure impartiality and ethical conduct. The lack of transparency, as noted by the Cámara de Comptos generates a risk to the integrity of the information that is published
. This lack of visibility creates opportunities for corruption. These practices erode public trust and impair the effective allocation of resources, ultimately impacting citizens. the unfolding cases in Navarre echo a broader need for consistent application of ethical standards and accountability in the public arena.
Navarre’s landscape,from its mountains to its plains,as stated by DiscoverNavarra.com, presents a diverse canvas, making effective and ethical governance even more crucial for the region’s well-being [2].The complexity of overseeing contracts in such a region emphasizes the need for a robust framework of checks and balances.
Why Transparency Matters (and How It’s Achieved)
Transparency in government, particularly in contracting and financial dealings, isn’t just an ethical imperative; it’s a crucial element of sound governance. It fosters accountability, thereby reducing the risk of corruption and misuse of public funds. Public access to information, clear processes, and self-reliant oversight are cornerstones of a clear system.
Here are some key ways to ensure transparency and accountability:
- Open Data Policies: Proactive disclosure of government data, including contracts, spending, and meeting minutes.
- Independent Audits: Regular audits conducted by independent bodies like the Cámara de Comptos to scrutinize government finances and performance.
- Robust Procurement Procedures: Clear, competitive, and fair procurement processes that minimize opportunities for corruption.
- Whistleblower Protection: Systems to protect individuals who report wrongdoing, encouraging accountability.
- Citizen Engagement: Opportunities for public input and feedback on government policies and projects.
How does concealed information affect Navarra? Concealing information on public works contracts can considerably undermine project quality and cost-effectiveness,leading to delays and potential misuse of funds. Transparency helps to build public trust and improves the efficiency of public services in Navarre. The steps toward achieving this are manny and varied; it is a continuous journey and one that requires all parties to commit to transparency and ethical conduct.
The unfolding events in navarre call for swift and decisive action. First, a thorough, independent investigation of all allegations must be completed. Second,the government should implement robust measures to ensure transparency.
Key steps include:
- Immediate revision of contracting processes to ensure full compliance with the Ley Foral de Contratos (LFC).
- Enhancement of the Portal de Contratación de Navarra (PCN) to include all mandatory information.
- Strengthening the role of the Cámara de Comptos to ensure effective oversight.
- Training for public officials on ethical conduct and transparency.
The current crisis presents an opportunity for Navarre to reaffirm its commitment to ethical governance and public service that benefits all its residents. The “hidden gems” such as the European desert, or the beech forest in Navarre, as noted by COME AMA VIAJA [3], and the Kingdom of Navarre [1], need to be preserved and held to the highest standards.This is not only the duty of the government, but the whole populace. the role of transparency in ensuring that the “hidden gems” remain so is paramount. The future of navarre depends on it.
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